AKRON - Two bids for a new wastewater treatment facility at the Tippecanoe Valley High and Middle schools campus were less than $20,000 apart.

It was the lowest bid of $533,300 from contractor Robert E. Crosby that the school board chose Monday night. The bid includes constructing the new plant and demolition of the existing plant to 3 feet below grade. An alternate for the total removal of the existing plant would have increased the base bid by $30,000. The bid includes fencing and a small building for storage.

The other bidding company was Gaskill and Walton. Their base bid was $536,300, or $578,800 if they entirely demolished the existing plant.

Mark Sullivan, of Commonwealth Engineers Inc., said three references for Crosby were contacted. All had positive comments about Crosby.

Superintendent Dr. Daniel Kramer asked for about three days to review the corporation's finances before the contracts are signed. The school board approved the Crosby bid with the condition that Kramer review and approve the finances.

The school board also received three bids for new tennis courts at the high school. Kramer asked for more time to review the bids, which the board approved.

In other business, the school board:

• Recognized three retiring teachers from Mentone Elementary School who have a combined total of 105 years of teaching experience, including Sue Pyle, Carol Surface and Jack Fisher.

• Recognized TVHS student organization Students and Teachers Advocating Respect and Tolerance. According to adviser and teacher Kris Walker, the group is "about building bridges between races." Students, teachers and administrators work together to come up with ways to meet the organization's goal.

• Recognized TVHS students who volunteer their time to help teach Spanish-speaking adults basic computer skills at Akron Elementary School.

• Announced the TVHS Open House is May 21 from 2 to 5 p.m.

• Announced the Building Trades Open House is May 21 from 1 to 4 p.m. at 6972 W. CR 100S, Warsaw.

• Accepted the resignation of TVHS teacher Cindy Martin.

• Approved an additional appropriation resolution for $8,936.83.

• Approved the 2006-07 miscellaneous textbook adoption.

• Approved the certified staff evaluation program.

• Approved changes to the student handbooks for the 2006-07 school year, including changing the high school and middle school dress codes to be more similar.

School board member Mark Wise said holes in students' jeans should only be allowed below the knees and wanted that reflected in the dress code.

The board also discussed requiring students to carry their I.D. badges with them at all times. It was decided the safety committee would review the I.D. badges and policies.

• Approved an extension of the 2006 bus bids to 2007. Due to changes in EPA standards for diesel engines next year, the cost of the engines and then school buses is expected to go up by $5,000 to $8,000 in the next year. By locking in bus bids now, Valley can save money on the purchase of three new buses next year.

• Gave a first reading of changes to school board policy regarding expectations of school principals and of Valley's wellness policy as required by law. The first reading of the by-laws for the All Write! Consortium also was given.

• Announced the next school board meetings are June 12, June 19, July 10 and Aug. 14 at Mentone Elementary School at 7:30 p.m. The June 19 is a capital projects fund workshop.

School board members are Dave O'Brien, Bryan Murphy, Rod Eaton, Mark Wise and Hal Hoffman. [[In-content Ad]]